Machine for burnishing and sizing openings



July 18, 1950 H. H. GOTBERG ET AL MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENINGS Filed Dec. 5. 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

July 18, 1950 H. H. GOTBERG ET AL. 5155508 MACHINE FOR BURNISHINC AND SIZING OPENINGS Filed Dec. 5, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. -JU

I INVE TORS, Harry /P 6"@ er July 18, 1950 H. H. G01-BERG ETAL MACHINE FR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPEIIIGS` 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Deo. 5. 1946 July 18, 1950 H. H, G01-BERG ETAL MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENINGS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 5, 1946 ,a Tra/r wins.

H. H. GOTBERG ET AL MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENINGS July 18V, 1950 y 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 5, 1946 .f y, W ff m7, Y mi W M. W

H. H. GOTBERG ET AL MACHINE FOR BURNISHNG AND SIZING OPENINGS July 18, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 5, 1946 July 18, 1950 H. H. GOTBERG ETAL 2,515,508

MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENIvNGS Filed Dec. 5, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 nul -am NW 56T July 18, 1950 H. H. GOTBERG ET A1. 2,515,508

MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENINGS Patented July 18, 1950 MACHINE FOR BURNISHING AND SIZING OPENINGS Harry H. Gotberg, Detroit, and Gus A. Gran, Berkley, Mich., assignol's to Colonial Breach Company, Warren Township, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application December 5, 1946, Serial No. 714,230

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of burnishing and to the art of imparting accurate iinal dimensions to internal surfaces. Although disclosed in connection with the treatment of internal surfaces of metal tubes, it will be recognized that the utility of the invention is such as to adapt it to many other applications.

An important object of the invention is to provide improved automatic machinery for so treating the internal surfaces of openings by forcing therethrough hard burnishing and sizing members which may be in the form of steel balls.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved, continuously operable machine of the indicated character adapted to rapidly finish the internal surfaces of tubes and which may be loaded and unloaded under the control of a single operator and without interrupting the operation of the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine of the indicated character utilizing a continuously circulated series of hardened balls which are automatically pushed through the internal openings to be worked upon, the balls being handled in a fully automatic manner yet never subjected to undue wear or impact which might result in injury to the balls. An object related to that last stated is to provide such a machine wherein the balls are readily replaceable and conveniently accessible for inspection at all times.

Still another object is to provide such a machine which simultaneously operates upon and ejects two workpieces at a time, and which is also arranged to be loaded in a convenient manner with two workpieces at a time, so that the operator of the machine may utilize both hands in loading and maximum production eliciency is attained.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism which is rugged, reliable, and relatively simple in construction and operation, and all of the operating components of which are readily accessible for inspection and servicing.

Still another'object is to provide such a machine including a main frame, a ram, and actuatmechanism for the latter, all of which parts may be of a standardized construction adapted for use in the manufacture of presses and other machines for performing other operations.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the present disclosure in its entirety.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the principal operating components removed from the press, corresponding to a cross-section taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, showing the principal components of the ball handling mechanism taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the principal components of the indexing mechanism, elements of the ball handling mechanism being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. '7 and 8 are cross-sectional views taken substantially on the lines 1 1 and 8 8, respectively, of Fig. 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a hydraulic diagram of the principal components of our improved machine; and,

Fig. 1l is a schematic wiring diagram.

Referring now to the drawings, reference char' downwardly toward and retracted upwardly' from' the table 25, which carries a bed plate 28 upon which is rigidly mounted a box-like support 3G.

Rotatably mounted in and projecting upwardly from the support 3B is a work-holding drum generally designated 32, rotatable upon a. vertical axis in the smooth bearing 34 and adapted to be turned in an intermittent manner by indexing mechanism presently to be described. 'lhe opening 35 in which the bearing bushing- 34 is mounted is vopen at the bottom.v Attached to theV bottom of the integral reduced bearing portion 40 of the drum, within the support 30, are a horizontally disposed ratchet wheel 36 and a cupped actuator element 46 enclosing the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel and actuator are coaxially mounted with respect to the drum and its bearing portion 40, and are secured to the latter portion by the axial cap screw 30. The ratchet wheel is keyed to rotate with the drum, as indicated at 42, but the actuator is independently rotatable. The teeth of the ratchet wheel are designated 44 and it will be noted that the tops of the teeth are rounded concentrically with respect to the common axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel and work-holding drum to provide a smooth bearing surface engaging the interior of the actuator.

Actuator 46 has a laterally projecting arm 48 provided with a radial internal passage 56 open at its inner extremity and in which a pawl 50 is slidableto and from interengaged relation with respect to the ratchet teeth 44. The pawl is urged inwardly with respect to the teeth by a helical compression spring 52 arranged in passage 56 behind, and partially housed within, the pawl, and reacting at its outer extremity against the cap 54 which closes the end of the passage.

Arm 48 also carries a downwardly projecting pin 58 engaging in a transverse slot formed in an actuating slide member 62 movable beneath the arm 48 in a path tangential with respect to the orbit of the pin in such manner that by reciprocating the slide intermittent rotation may be imparted to the ratchet wheel, and accordingly to the work drum, the nose portion 5i of the pawl ratcheting over the teeth 44 when the actuator is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, by inward movement of the slide, and picking up a tooth to turn the ratchet wheel in a clockwise direction upon the reverse or outward stroke of the slide, as will be readily apparent.

The slide 62 is mounted in ways formed by a pair of rails 64 rigidly mounted in the support and is actuable by an indexing cylinder and piston assembly the cylinder of which is generally designated 66. The cylinder and piston assembly may be of a commercially available or of any other suitable variety. Its piston rod 68 is drivable in opposite directions when fluid is fed to and exhausted from the cylinder through the conduits 10, 12 connected to opposite extremities thereof. It will be noted that the head of the cylinder assembly is secured to the support 30 as. by means of the cap screws 14, with its body extending exteriorly therefrom and only the piston rod projecting into the interior of the support. The entire actuator cylinder assembly is thus readily removable for inspection and servicing. The inner extremityv of the piston rod is connected to the slide by means of a coupling member 16 attached to the extremity of the rod and transxed by a pin 18 carried by the slide.

In the intervals between indexing movements of the drum it is held against rotation by an index lock plunger 80 radially movable to and from a position in which it projects into any one of a series of peripherally spaced notches 82 formed in the work drum. The notches may be formed in a separate but rigidly attached ring 84 secured as by cap screws 86 to the bottom portion of the drum which overlies the support 30. Plunger 80 is provided with a downwardly projecting portion 88 which lies outside the support 30 and is keyed by means of transversely disposed interi'ltted portions generally designated to a cam follower plunger 92 slidable as a unit with plunger 86 and projecting through the side of the support 30 to a position adjacent the actuator 46.

Plunger 92 is actuable by a cam lobe piece 64 rigidly secured to the periphery of the actuator 46. The cam piece is so located and contoured as to urge the plunger 92 outwardly, and thereby free the index lock plunger 80 from the slot 82, as the actuator completes its counterclockwise movement, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 8. The plungers 80, 82 are urged inwardly by a pair of helical compression springs 96, 88 supported partly by the respective plungers and partly in the, laterally extending section |00 of the support 30 which carries the plungers and related elements. Plugs |02 are provided in the supporting portion |00 to retain the springs. Top and bottom platey portions |04, |06 respectively of the supporting section |00 carry limit switches L53 and LS2 respectively, the former actuable by the plunger 80 and the latter by the plunger 92. The purpose and electrical arrangement of these switches will presently be considered.

The drum 32 is provided with peripherally extending top and bottom flanges H2, H4 respectively and these are formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced vertical, axially aligned cylindrical apertures ||8, |20 extending therethrough. Supported in each aligned pair of upper and lower openings H8, |20 is a work-holding tube assembly consisting of an upper section |22 held in the upper opening H8 as by means of the set screw |24, and depending to a position slightly above the lower opening |26 where it rests in the counterbored top portion |28 of a lower work tube section |28 constituting a continuation of the upper section, and projecting downwardly through the ange l |4 and the ring 84 and open at the bottom of the latter. At its upper extremity the opening ||8 is provided with a flared top portion 9 through which work tubes as |30 may be inserted. This opening is also used for insertion of the sizing and burnishing balls, as will presently appear.

The rotary lower drum flange and ring portions H4, 84 are covered by a xed shielding ring |32 surrounding the same and secured to the support 30 as by means of the screws |34. Additional protection is furnished by a rotary shielding ring |36 secured to the drum flange 4 and downwardly anged to overhang the top of the main shielding ring |32.

The upper tube section |22 may be large enough so that the work tubes |30 may drop easily thereinto in loading, whereas the lower section |28 is sized to t the work tubes accurately. When rst placed in the tubular work holder assemblies, therefore, the work tubes may come to rest upon the conically tapered upper extremity |38 of the opening in the lower` sleeve section |28. The work tube may quite readily be pushed downwardly into the sleeve section |28, and is in fact so pushed downwardly by the sizing and burnishing balls, which are forced into the work tubes from above, in a manner presently to be described.

As previously indicated, hardened steel balls are preferably employed for performance of the internal sizing and burnishing operations. The balls, designated lll), are pushed downwardly through the tubes from above by downward movement of the press ram. The ram of the press carries a head member generally designated |40 which rigidly supports a pair of'vertically` disposed depending cylindrical plungers |42, |43 of such size'and `so positioned as to be projectable downwardly into apair of adjacent work tubes, by downward movement of the press head, while the work drum 32 is locked against rotation by the plunger 80 in the manner `previously described. Head member `|40 is guided, in its vertical movement by a pair of rigidly supported upright bars |44', |46rigidly mounted upon and upstanding from the table of the machine, and indicated as carried by a, relatively heavy boxlike support |48. A rearwardly extending portion |50 of head member |40 yis provided with slide bushings as |52, |54 accurately slidably fitting the guide bars |44, |46. It will be notedthat when the head is fully raised the plungers |42, |43 are free of the head 32.v

The handling of the balls is entirely automatic. They are dropped into the tops of the work-holding tubes through the openings ||9 while the work drum is at rest and the head raised. It will be noted that the openings ||9 extend radially as well as vertically, to facilitate entry of the balls as well as the work tubes. It will also be observed that when facing the front of the machine the ball pushing plungers |42, |43 are at the rear. The work-loading station is, of course, at the front, while the ball-loading station is located between the work-loading station and the ball pushing plungers |42, |43, considering the parts with reference to the direction of rotation of the drum 32, that is clockwise as viewed from above, in the preferred embodiment of our machine illustrated. v I

The balls travel in a closed circuit. Those balls which have been `.pushed downwardly through the work tubes fall'through openings |56, |58 which extend through the top of the main support 30, and through the wear ring |60. Openings |56, |58 are aligned with pushing plungers |42, |43 and are largevenough to pass the balls but not the work tubes. Ring |60 is carried in a suitable groove |62 in the top of the support and forms a hard surface beneath the open bottoms of the work tube section |28 adapted to resist 6. position that the clogging portion |82 projects substantially horizontally into the tube. The latchng member is normally held in this position by engagement of its upper extremity with the outside of the ball-feed tube, but the holding portion |82 may be rocked upwardly to permit a ball to be pushed past it in an upward direction. When a ball has been so pushed up by one of the lifting plungers as |12 the portion |82, after the ball has passed it, swings back downwardly to project into the tube beneath the ball and hold the latter against dropping back down in the tube.

The lifting plungers |10, |12 are carried' by a supporting head portion |88 actuable by a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly |60. At least one extra ball is always in the inclined passageway |66 and accordingly at least three balls are present in such passageway after the two which have completed their work have dropped through the openings |56, |58. The common axes of the .plungers and ball-feed tubes are spaced apart a distance approximately corresponding to two ball diameters from one another. An intermediate ball of the three at the lower end of passage |66 accordingly serves as a spacer p for the two which are held in positions to be wear resulting from rubbing of the work tubes thereover during rotation of the drum 32.

The balls falling throughthe openings, |56, |58

roll down a ramp |64 'provided inside the main f support 30 and are conducted through an inclined opening |66 forming a continuation of the ramp and located in the bracket |68. Bracket |68 is secured to and projects from the side of the main support 30, as 'best shown in Fig. 3. A pair of ball-lifting plungers |10, |12 are yslidable, upwardly through the bottom of the bracket |68 and when raised project lthrough and above the passage |66, the travel ofthese plungers being sufcient so that each may lift one of the balls in the passage upwardlythrough vertical feed tubes |14,` |16. Tubes |14, |16 extend upwardly to positions somewhat higher than the 'top openings ||9 of the work drum 32. At a point near the upper extremity of the stroke of each of the lifting plungers |10, |12, a ball-retaining latch element as |18, |80 is arranged appurtenant each of the tubes |14, |16, each such latch element having a clogging portion |82 yieldably projecting into the tube. Since the latchng elements are alike, description of one will suiice. The body of the latch element` |80 vis pivoted upon a cross pin |84, and a leaf spring |86 urges the latch element counterclockwise, asviewed in Fig. 3, its movementin that'direction being arrested in such lifted, as shown in Fig. 3, the lower closure member |92 for the passageway |66 being so positioned as to hold the bottom ball and the third with their centers substantially aligned with the tubes and plungers, as will be apparent. Enough balls are provided to keep the portions of the tubes |14, |16 above the dogging portions |82 filled, so that each time an additional pair of balls is lifted past the latch members, one ball is pushed out of the upper end of each feed tube. Feed tubes |14, |16 communicate at their upper ends with inclined rollways |82, |04, respectively, formed in a body |96, supported from bracket |68 as by the tubes |14, |16 and up'- wardly extending plate means |68. The passages |92, |94 constitute inclined ways down which the balls may roll, and terminate in positions aligned with an adjacent pair of the top openings ||0 of the work drum, when the drum is at rest in any one of the latched positions in which it is held by the index lock plunger 80. It will accordingly be seen that balls released from the upper ends of the feed tubes |14, |16 roll down the passages |62, |94 and directly into the tops of the work-tube holders.

Subsequent indexing motion of the drum carries the two last-mentioned work holders, each containing a tubular workpiece and a ball at its top, to positions under and in alignment with the plungers |42, |43. The head then descends, and plungers |42, |43 force the balls through the Work tubes. The balls then fall from the passages |56, l58, roll down the ramp and passage portions |64, |66 subsequently to be raised by the lifting plungers |10, |12 as the cycle recommences. The balls are of such size as to burnish and finish the interior surfaces of the tubes in the desired manner. Subsequent indexing motion of the head 32 occurs after the head has raised, and carried the finished tubes to positions beneath and in alignment with a pair of ejecting plungers 202, 203.

The ejecting plungers 202, 263 are rigidly dependingly supported by a forwardly projecting portion 204 of the head |40, and are of su-ch diameter as to t relatively closely within the work-supporting tube portions |22, |28. During descent of these plungers the tubular workpieces as |30 are forced downwardly through and from tube portions |22, |28 and fall from discharge openings formed in the top wall of the support 30 and in the inserted wear ring |60. These openings are, of course, axially aligned with the ejecting plungers. The portions of such openings in the body of the support being designated 2G55. and the sections thereof in the wear ring denominatedA 286'. A portion of the outer wall of the support 3D adjacent the work discharge openings isleft open to permit access to the area directly beneath the discharge openings, the open area being designated 2|l. This will be seen to permit convenient arrangement of means for collecting or conducting away the finished workpieces. A finished workpiece i3d falling clear of the machine through the lateral opening 2||l is indicated in Fig. 4.

It will be recognized that the foregoing operations are automatically successively performed in the sequence described, the workpieces being manually loadedA into the tubes at the front of the machine, simply by dropping them through the openings ||9, the head 32 being repeatedly indexed through an angle equivalent to that occupied by two of the adjacent work tubes andv successively dwelling with the head in alignment with the stations corresponding te the several operations. The rst dwell, of course, occurs with a pair of the work tubes in alignment with the ball feed passages |92, |95. During this same dwell the head descends pushing a pair of previously loaded balls through the work tubes which are then aligned with the plungers |62, |43 and ejecting a pair of previously nished Work tubes which. are then in alignment with the plungers 262, 23. The next indexing motion occurs after the head has been raised, and carries the work tubes with the balls loaded into their tops to a position in which the leading tube of the pair is aligned with the plunger |112, the L second tube of the pair dwelling at the halfway point between the ball-loading station and the ball-pushing station, the last-mentioned tube on the next indexing movement of the drum being carried to alignment with the ball-pushing plunger |43, as will be apparent. Arrow |93 indicates the direction of movement of the drum. It will be seen that the next indexing motion carries the tubes which have been worked upon to an intermediate dwell position, two complete indexing movements being required to carry such tubes from the working position to the ejecting plungers 232, 283. All of the work-holding tubes between those in alignment with the ejecting plunger 203 and with the ball-feeding passage |92 are readily accessible to the operator for loading.

Certain of the hydraulic and electrical components are depicted in diagrammatic form only, since their details form no part of our present invention. The hydraulic system includes a reservoir generally designated 210. From the reservoir hydraulic fluid ispumped by the main pump 2|2 through appropriate conduit means as 2H!` to a solenoid actuable valve 2|6 which is biased to stand normally in a position such that the fluid passes through the valve to a conduit 2 8, whence it is conducted to the lower extremity of the main ram actuating ,cylinder 24 by way of the foot valve 220. When the valve 2|6 is in itsV normal position as indicated, it also provides a return connection to the reservoir by way of conduits 222, 224, and an interposed internal passage of the valve. When the valve actuating solenoid S-I is energized it actuates the valve 8' 2|6 to a position in which the pump output is connected to the conduit 222 leading to the upper extremity of the cylinder 24 while the conduitA 2li! is then connected to the reservoir by way ofthe return line 224. A pressure-actuated valve 22% is connected to the conduit 2|8 and is open only when the pressure in line 2|8. exceeds a predetermined value which is greater than the pressure required to lift the ram. When open, the valve 226 conducts uid under pressure via conduit 230 to a solenoid actuable valve 228 which normally stands in a spring centered position in which it returns such fluid to the reservoir 2|0 via return line 232. When valve-actuating solenoid S-2 is energized, valve 228 ismoved to a position to connect conduit 230 to the conduit 12. When so connected the fluid projects the slide 52 inwardly to rotate the actuator 46 counterclockwise and pick up another tooth of the ratchet wheel 36 in the manner previously described. When the valve-actuating solenoid S-3 is energized, the valve 228 is shifted to a position to connect the pressure line 230 to the conduit 'ifi leading to the opposite end of the cylinder ii, tc move the slide outwardly and turn the work-supporting drum 32 through one indexing movement, as also previously described. A conventional or any suitable pressure release valve as 23e having a return line 236 to the reservoir may be incorporated in the main pressure supply line 2M from the main pump 2|2. While the solenoid controlled valves 2|6 and 228 may be o any desired type they are preferably operated by hydraulic pilot pressure which is controlled by pilot valves that in turn are operated by the solenoids S-l, S-2 and S-3. Since such valves may be of conventional construction, they need not be illustrated or described in detail. The supply pump 240 for the pilot system may be mounted and drivable with the main pump 2|2, as shown in Fig. 10, conventional pilot uid connections being schematically indicated in that View and generally designated 242.

Fluid is supplied to the lower extremity of the cylinder to raise the ball-lifting plungersI |16, |12 by a conduit 244 connected to the fluid conduit 222 leading to the top of the main lcylinder 24, while the upper extremity of the cylinder |90 is directly connected to the uid line 2| 8 by a conduit 246. The balls are thus lifted by the plungers |10, |'|2 while the ram is descending, and the balls which are thereby discharged from the upper extremities of the tubes |14, |16k have ample time to roll down the passages |92, |94 and into the Work tubes at the ball-loading station before the head commences to rotate, which does not occur until after the ram is again fully raised.

The electrical connections and the principal electrical components employed to control the operation of the machine are depicted in Fig. 11 in diagrammatic form. As previously indicated, the machine normally stands with the head in the raised position. The valve-actuating solenoids S-|. S-2 and S-3 are indicated as powered from a 220 Volt source, the supply lines to these elements being designated L--I and L-2. The other electrical components may operate at volts, derived from a step-down transformer 250 and delivered by way of the conductors L-3, L-Il. The button-type starting switch, designated Start is normally open, and bridged by a pair of holding relay contacts RC-|. The actuating coil Rf-l of the relay is in series with the start button switch, as shown. A plurality of Vniiinially closed stop buttonswitches may also be provided in series with the relay coil R-I and the start button, and lall of these button switches are of course located upon the machine in positions convenient to the operator. A second pair of contacts actuated by the relay R`I and designated RC-l2 is connected in a seriesparallel circuit with three additional relay coils vlit-2, R-3, and R--IL Limit switch LS-l is `arranged in series with relay coil R-2. Limit switch LS-l closes when the headvis fully raised and is opened as the head reaches the bottom of its stroke. In series with the relay coil R-B 'are a pair of contacts RC-Z actuable by coil R-Z, an additional series-parallel circuit being interposed between contacts RC1-l2 and the conductor 266 in which contacts RC-ll and RC-3 are incorporated, contacts RC-3` being normally open and closable Vby the relay coil R-3 While normally open contacts RC-4 .are clos-able by energization of the relay coil R-4. In series with the relay coil R-Il is a limit switch LS-2, previously mentioned, of the normally open type, which is actuable by the indexing `cam plunger as the latter commences its inward motion and adapted to be closed as the cam plunger completes its outward movement. Limit Switch LS--Z is shunted by a circuit containing limit switch LS--S and also containing a pair of contacts RC-li in series with the last-mentioned limit switch. Limit switch LS--3 is of the normally open type but lis held closed by the index locking plunger 8l] except when the index locking plunger reaches itsinnermost position.

In series with the solenoid S-I are two pairs of relay contacts RC-Ii2 and RC-43. 'Contacts RC--32 are normally open, and are closed when relay coil R-3 is energized, while contacts RC-43 are normally closed and are opened when relay coil R- is energized. In series with valve actuating solenoid S-2 are two pairs of relay contacts RC-22 and BiC-33. Contacts RC--Z2 are of the normally open type and are closed by energization of relay coil R-Z while contacts RC-33 are normally closed and are opened by energ-ization of relay coil R--3. In series with valve actuating solenoid `S--i lare two pairs of contacts RCL-34 and RC-fii. Contacts RC34 are of the normally open type and are closed by energization of the relay coil R`3 while contacts RC-il4 are also of the normally open type and are closed by energization of the relay coil R-4.

The machine operates automatically and continuously, after closing of the start button switch, until the current to relay coil R-I is interrupted as at one of the stop button switches. Considering the cycle as commencing Iwith the ram in the fully raised position, closing of the starting switch energizes relay coil R, and closes the holding contact RC-I and coil R--Z is energized through the limit switch LS-I which is then closed, since this completes a connection between supply conduits L-3 and L-ll by way of conductor 252, in which the `coil R-2 and contacts of switch LS--l are incorporated.

Energizing of relay coil R-Z also closes the contacts IRC-22, resulting in the energization of valve actuated solenoid S-2, since contacts RC-33, also in series lwith that solenoid are normally closed. The conductor, shunted across the 220 volt supply lines L-I, L-Z, containing the solenoid S-2 and the contacts RC-22 and RC-S3 in series, is designated 254. Closure of this circuit and energization` of solenoid S-2 shifts the valve 228 to a position to direct fluid through conduit 'l2 to the' outer extremity of cylinder 6E and the indexingslide 62 accordingly moves in to rock the actuator 46 counterclockwise. As the actuator completes its counterclockwise movement, cam 94 forces out the cam follower plunger 92 and the connected index lock plunger 80, limit switch LS-S being closed by the latter las such outward movementcommences. When such outward movement of the two connected plungers is completed limit switch LS-Z is closed by plunger 92, completing a circuit to relay coil R-i through conductor 25B. Contacts 12C- i12 are thereby closed and constitute holding contacts for the coil R-4 so long as limit switch LES-3, in series with the last-mentioned contacts, remains closed. The closing of the circuit to coil R--ll through limit switch LS-Z occurs as the index slide completes its inward stroke. `The index and cam follower plungers complete'their outward movement at the same time. Relay coil R--4 breaks the circuit to valve-actuating solenoid S-I at a second point by opening the normally closed contacts RC-lla, although this circuit is already open at contacts RC-32. This permits the closing of relay R-3 without the energizing of solenoid 'S--L relay coil R-3 being energized as soon .as relay RF4 is actuated, the circuit to the relay coil R-3 being then completed through contacts RC-i2, RC-ll, and RC-2. The holding contacts RC--3 are thereupon closed to maintain the circuit to R-3 independently of relay R-AL The energizing of relay R-3 opens the normally closed contacts RC-33, and closes the normally open contacts RCI-34, thereby deenergizing the valve-actuating solenoid S-Z and energizing the solenoid S-3 to move the vlalve 228 to the opposite position in which fluid under pressure is directed to the inner extremity of the cylinder 66 through the conduit lll. The circuit to solenoid S-3 is completed through conductor 258 and contacts RC-d4 and RC34, which contacts are closed by the energization of relays R-4 and R-3 as will be apparent. The indexing slide 62 is thereupon moved outwardly to turn the work-supporting head 32 clockwise, as previously described, through one indexing movement. Limit switch LS--2 opens at the commencement of such indexing movement, as the plungers and 92 move inwardly part way with the riding of plunger 92 oil the cam 94. The cam keeps the plungers out until the index lock slot 82 has moved away from the end of the plunger 80 and the lastmentioned plunger accordingly continues to ride upon the surface of the ring 84 until another of the slots 82 registers with such plunger, which occurs at the end of vthe indexing movement. During the indexing movement, therefore, although the plungers have moved in part way, so that LS-Z is open, the plungers are held out far enough to prevent the opening of limit switch LS-3. Limit switch LS--3 opens as the plunger assembly moves into the next slot 82 at the completion of the indexing movement, and relay coil R--4 is thereupon de-energized, opening the circuit to solenoid S-3 at contacts RC-44 and closing the circuit to solenoid S-l at contacts ILC-43. The drum 32 is, therefore, held stationary and solenoid S--I thereupon shifts valve 2 l 6 to a position to connect supply line 2|4 to conduit 222, causing the ram to descend, to push the balls through the work tubes and eject the completed tubes, as previously described. At the lower extremity of movement of the ram limit switch LS-I is` opened, breaking the line 252 and deenergizing relay coil R-2. vThis will be seen to fac-3,2.

.interrupt the circuit through conductor 260 to vram cylinder 24 to the pump output, and the ram re-ascends. At the upper extremity Vof ram movenient limit switch LS-l is again closed, closing 'the circuit to' relay coil R-"Z, and the cycle recommences and recurs so long as power is sup- It willbe apparent that various modifications of and departures from the features of the preferred embodiment herein disclosed may be made within the fair and intended scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

1.` In a machine for pushing a treating element through an opening in a loose workpiece of such conguration that the'opening therein is accessiblefrom both ends, a work support adapted to hold such a workpiece in a predetermined position, a pushing member, means for projecting the pushing member from a position entirely clear of the mouth of the opening in such a workpiece to a position in which it projects -into and substantially through the openlng, whereby a loose treating element placed in the mouth of the opening may be pushed through and from the opening by projection of the pushing member, ejecting means for discharging the workpiece from the work support after projection of such a treating element therethrough, means l interconnecting the ejecting means and the pushing member for concurrent actuation, said work support comprising a body movable in a substantially horizontal plane to carry the workpiece from a working station in alignment with the pushing member to an ejecting station in alignment with the ejecting means, table means over which said body is so movable, said table means being provided with an aperture at the working station in alignment with the pushing member of sufficient size to permit such a treating element to pass downwardly therethrough but small enough to maintain the workpiece supported, and the table means having a larger opening at the ejecting station of sufficient size to allow the workpiece to pass downwardly therethrough.

2. In a machine forpushing a treating element through an opening in a loose workpiece of such conguration that the opening therein is accessible from both ends, a work support adapted to hold such a workpiece in a predetermined position, a pushing member, means for projecting the pushing member from a position entirely clear of the mouth of the opening in such a workpiece to a position in which it projects into and substantially through the opening, whereby a loose treating element may be pushed through and from the opening by projection of the pushing member, return means for conducting such an'element vfrom a position at the discharge end of the opening in such a workpiece to a position in which it is adapted to be forced by the pushing member through a workpiece held in said work support, said return means and the projecting means for the pushing member being operatively interconnected whereby they may be concurrently actuated, said work` support comprising a body movable in a substantially horizontal plane to successively carry workpieces from a 12 working station in alignment with the pushing member to an ejecting station in alignment with the ejecting means, table means over which said body is so movable, said table means being provided with an aperture in alignment with the pushing member of suicient size to permit such -a treating element to pass downwardly therethrough while maintaining support of a workpiece.

3. In a machine for pushing a treating element through openings and the like, a work support rotatable about a predetermined axis, means carried by the work support for supporting a plurality of loose workpieces having openings therein to be treated and of such configuration that the openings are accessible from both ends, said work support being adapted to maintain such workpieces substantially vertical and with the openings therein in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to one another and with respect to said axis, a reciprocable pushing member adapted to force a loose treating element downwardly through and from such an opening, means for intermittently rotating the work support to successively carry workpieces mounted therein from loading stations for such workpieces to a working station in alignment with the pushing member and simultaneously to carry workpieces from the working station to an ejecting station, ejecting means including a reciprocable plunger at the ejecting station, interconnected means for actuating the pushing member and the plunger, a frame having a reciprocable ram, said pushing member and plunger being carried by and actuatable by the ram, said frame also having a xed table, the work support being carried by the table, and the table forming a bottom for the rotatable work support.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3 including a plurality of said work supports rotatably carried by and projecting upwardly from said table and including work holding tubes into which the workpieces are adapted to slide freely and a work gripping portion below and coaxial with each such tube and including a part frictionally engageable with the sides of the workpieces.

5. In a machine for pushing a treating element through openings and the like, a work support rotatable about a predetermined axis, means carried by the work support for supporting a plurality of loose workpieces having openings therein to be treated and of such configuration that the openings are accessible from both ends, said work support being adapted to maintain such workpieces substantially Vertical and with the openings therein in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to one another and with respect to said axis, a reciprocable pushing member adapted to force a loose treating element downwardly through and from such an opening, means for intermittently rotating the work support to successively carry workpieces mounted therein from loading stations for such workpieces to a working station in alignment with the pushing member and simultaneously to carry workpieces from the working station to an ejecting station, ejecting means including a reciprocable plunger at the ejecting station, interconnected means for actuating the pushing member and the plunger, a relatively flat stationary base beneath said work support and against which the workpieces are adapted to bear, said base having an open portion in alignment with the pushing member larger than the treating element but smaller than the workpieces, through which open portion such element may pass, said base having another open portion at the ejecting station of suflicient size to permit the workpieces to pass therethrough.

6. In a machine for pushing a treating element through openings and the like, a work support rotatable about a predetermined axis, means carried by the Work support for supporting a plurality of loose workpieces having openings therein to be treated and of such configuration that the openings are accessible from both ends, said work support being adapted to maintain such workpieces substantially Vertical and with the openings therein in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to one another and with respect to said axis, a reciprocable pushing member adapted to force a loose treating element downwardly through and from such an opening, means for intermittently rotating the work support to successively carry workpieces mounted therein from loading stations for such workpieces to a working station in alignment with the pushing member and simultaneously to carry workpieces from the working station to an ejecting station, ejecting means including a reciprocable plunger at the ejecting station, interconnected means for actuating the pushing member and the plunger, a base carrying said work support, automatic return means for returning said element to a position at the upper end of a succeeding workpiece after the element has passed through a workpiece, said return means including a lifting plunger carried by the base and actuatable concurrently with the pushing member.

7. In combination with means at set forth in claim 3, automatic return means for returning the treating element, after it has passed through a workpiece opening, to a position at the upper end of another opening, said return means including a lifting plunger supported by the table and operatively interconnected with the head to move simultaneously therewith in the opposite direction.

8. In a machine for treating the internal surfaces of openings and the like, a frame, a ram carried by one part of the frame, a table carried by another part of the frame and toward and from which the ram is reciprocable, work-supporting means carried by the table, including a rotary work support for supporting a plurality of workpieces to be treated with the openings therein parallel to the path of movement of the ram, a plurality of pushing members actuatable by the ram and adapted to force loose treating elements downwardly through a plurality of such openings simultaneously, means for indexing the work support, and return means for such elements comprising a plurality of lifting plungers carried by the table and actuatable simultaneously with the ram.

9. In a machine for treating the internal surfaces of openings and the like, a frame, a ram carried by one part of the frame, a table carried by another part of the frame and toward and from which the ram is reciprocable, a work support mcvably carried by the table and adapted to support a plurality of workpieces, with openings therein in parallel relation to the path of the ram, a pushing member actuatable by the ram and adapted successively to force loose treating elements one at a time downwardly through such openings upon actuation of the pushing member by the ram, the work support including generally tubular socket-denng portions into which the workpieces are freely slidable, and friction gripping portions located near the bottoms of said socket-delining portions and adapted to initially support the workpieces elevated above the table but to permit the workpieces to be moved downwardly into engagement with the v table by the pushing member.

HARRY H. GOTBERG. GUS A. GRAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,779,641 Rockwood Oct. 28, 1930 2,217,335 Eden Oct, 8, 1940 2,222,270 Wallace Nov. 19, 1940 2,405,686 Clark Aug. 13, 1946 2,442,868 Dare June 8, 1948 2,460,379 Corren Feb. 1, 1949 

